“What you told me just now?” repeated Lily uncomfortably. Did he mean that ridiculous proposal that he should take her to the Casino and give her money to gamble with?
“That I am on the look-out for a dear little wife!”
Lily made no answer to this peculiar remark. She tried to smile, but when she got out in the street she took a deep breath. She had felt as if stifled in that frowsy little smoking-room.
“What a brute, eh?” exclaimed the Count, after they had walked a few yards in silence. “You must forgive me, my dear Lily, for having exposed you to that low fellow’s vulgar joking!”
“I’ve never met such an extraordinary man,” said the girl hesitatingly. “His manner was so odd. Do you think that he is a little mad?”
“He is an eccentric,” said the Count shortly.
“I can’t imagine why he wants to belong to the Club.”
“He is, as you say in England, a snob,” observed the Count drily.
“And do you really think he will be useful to Beppo?” asked Lily.
“I know he will be,” replied the Count grimly.